Anna's Awesome Adventures!!!: Fairbanks

Today we woke up at 7:30, got ready, had breakfast (Fruit Loops, a Teddy Grahams Softpaw, and milk), loaded up, and were on the road at 8:35. We drove along and saw beautiful views, mountains, and open wilderness. When we came into Fairbanks, we went to the Visitor Center, which has a fabulous museum showing information about life in and history of Fairbanks. They also have a good shop, where I found some beautiful postcards. One has a little baby bear on it, which I would love to see by the side of the road when we're driving along! They are so cute...but don't get too close, because Mama Bear wouldn't like that. Also at the Visitor Center is an antler arch, made out of more than 100 antlers nailed together. It's beautiful. We also saw a World War 2 lend-lease between Siberia and USA monument.

Then we went to the Fairbanks Community Museum, which is actually like two museums in one building. One is focused on the history of Fairbanks and the gold rush. The other is on dog mushing, with special information on the Iditarod and Yukon Quest dog races, the hardest two of the "marathon" dog races. We even saw several dog sleds, all different designs.

Then we went back to the Visitor Center, where we had left our car (it is better to walk to most of the places in Fairbanks because parking is limited). We had a yummy lunch of ham-turkey-cheese pitas, Pringles, peaches, chocolate pudding with marshmallows, and Snapple tea. After lunch, we checked into our hotel so we could get our bags and stuff in early and then just be able to relax. The room, which we got for only $85, is probably the fanciest one I've ever stayed in on this trip. It's a Marriot, and it has a four-person couch (it's HUGE!), two luxurious queen beds, a nice big bathroom, a separate sink (so someone can be showering and another person can brush their teeth at the same time without invading on the person's privacy), a huge flat screen TV, a secluded alcove with a big comfy chair and a large desk, a wet bar with another sink, lots of space in general, and a nice second-floor view. It's absolutely perfect, and it's a true miracle to get something so wonderful for so cheap.

After checking in, we drove up Mt. Aurora to the ski area, Skiland. It has the farthest north chairlift in North America (and possibly in the world...they don't know). Of course we had to take pictures of the double chairlift. It was a pretty view up top. Going back down into Fairbanks, there was a Trans-Alaska Pipeline viewing area, so we stopped there and took a look at the big pipe. We took pictures and even touched it in one place. There were also a few signs talking about the design of the pipeline. It was a good stop.

When we got back, I went down and exercised for about a half-hour, then swam for about 20 minutes. That felt good, then I came back up and showered before we all went out to supper. We went to Gambardella's Pasta Bella, where I tried the Lumache -- four giant sea shells filled with ricotta cheese, topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. It was very good. After dinner, we came back and watched the Olympics for awhile. Now we're going to get ready for bed and go to sleep. Tomorrow we will check out a bit more of Fairbanks and go to North Pole...I wonder if I'll see Santa? Check back to see how it goes. :)